Papermaking machine



JanJ18,1944. D.V.LNNE ETAL PAPER MAKING MACHINE Filed April 4, 1940 4Sheets-Sheet 1 lnuehtors Dona/d V., Lowe .Tohrr W. Vedder Charles5-ACIOT1LS ttomeg n Y DQV. LOWE EI'AL PAPER MAKING MACHINE Filed April4, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 f i I I I auu'li! l 35* Jan. 18, 1944.

,D. V. LOWE ETAL PAPER MAKING MACHINE Filed April 4, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet3 m. r m we fi dA a F kcm Patented Jan. 18,

- UNITED PAPERMAKING MACHINE Donald V. Lowe, Ridgefield, N. 1., JohnWarren Vedder and Charles Mass., assignors to Rice Barton Corporation, aorporation of Massachusetts Application April 4, 1940, Serial No.327,856

'4 Claims.

This invention relates to the manufacture of paper and more particularlyto the construction of a paper making machine comprising a cylinder moldwhich has a rotatable cylindrical screen arranged to receive a coatingof wood pulp and transfer it to an endless felt.

A cylinder mold of standard construction com-' prises a rotatablecylinder having a wire screen surface on which the paper fibres are laidas a removable web. The stock of water and suspended pulp usually flowsinto the top of the mold vat by passing over a weir or dam located atone side or the other of the cylinder. The white water which passesthrough the cylinder escapes from the ends thereof at a controlled rate.

Such cylinder mold constructions have been operated in various waysdepending upon the type of pulp used and the desired characteristics ofthe paper, as well as the many varied theories of web formation held bythe different paper makers. tofore used has had certain disadvantages inthe fonnation of the paper web, and the machines have not always hadsuch universalityof operation as would make it feasible to lay thepulpon the cylinder to the best of advantage and in accordance with thepaper maker's wishes. The vat walls have been located close to thecylinder mold and the stock has flowed around the cylinder at acomparatively rapid rate and often with turbulence or the formation ofcurrents in the water which have affected the lay-of the fibres on :thescreen. It is desirable to have the stock move quietlyadJacent thecylinder so that the fibres may be laid uniformly as the web is formed.It is also often desirable to control the consistency of the. stock forthe production of-some types of paper, and to control the flow of thestock past or towards different portions of the cylinder. This flowshould be capable of local regulation,

if desired.

The primary objects of this invention are to overcome such prior artproblems and to satisfy the above requirements, and particularly toprovide a paper making apparatus of this type Each constructionalarrangement as here- S. Adams, Worcester,

inder and to control the lay of the web locally.

With these and other objects in view, we have provided an apparatuscapable of being operated in'many ways and of satisfying variousrequirements of paper formation.

In accordance with this invention, we rotate the wire screen cylindermold within a comparatively large vat having the pulp in Watersuspension iiowing quietly towards the cylinder and in a non-turbulentcondition. To this end, we introduce the stock into the bottom portionof the vat and beneath the cylinder and in such a direction as to avoidsetting up localized currents within the vat which would interferematerially with a proper laying of the web. The stock is preferablyintroducedat the bottom' of the vat in a vertical direction, and the vatis so shaped and constructed as to insure an even distribution of stockto the cylinder or, if desired, to provide a definite current flowtowards one side or the other of the rotating cylinder. Moreover, weirsmay be provided at one or both sides of the cylwherein the stock flowsquietly and uniformly to the cylinder mold.

A further object is to provide apparatus which may be adjusted to obtainvarious methods of operation, and particularly to causethe stock to floweither countercurrent or with the rotating cylinder, or both, andotherwise to meet the needs of the paper maker at any time.

- Another object is to provide a way of regulating the direction of flowof the stock to the cylinder which may be adjusted to provide anoverfiow for the excess of stock so that, if desired, the stock may flowdefinitely in either direction or both directions-in relation to therotating cylinder, as well as towards its wire mesh-and the excess ofstock'thatescapes from the vat may be returned.

Wehave illustrated in the drawings several constructions which embodyall of these various features,- and some of which may be used .with orwithout the other features as will be described.

In the drawings;

Fig. l is a longitudinal elevation, partly in section, of two cylindermolds associatedwith the endless felt to which the paper pulp istransferred;

Fig. 2 is a side view of a mold taken at right angles to that of Fig. 1,which is partlyin section to show the water flow;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail of the weir construction;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing a modified construction adapted forcontrolling the in-flow of the stock;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the form shown in Fig.4; 1

Fig. 6 is a central section of a further modi fication; and

Fig. 7 is a plan view thereof.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, we have there shown two cylindermolds in their association with the endless felt I held thereagainst bythe rollers II to insure transfer of the pulp web.

Each cylinder mold comprises a cylinder I! of standard constructioncomprising a series of supporting spiders l4 mounted on a shaft [-5carried by end bearings l6 suitably supported on a platform I! mountedon the vat I8. The supporting rings I! of the spiders carry several wirescreens 20 of an open mesh and construction best adapted for retainingthe paper fibres to form the desired web. The cylinder is so mountedwithin the vat that its upperportion projects beyond and above the topof the vat so that the pulp may be transferred to the felt Ill. Thecylinder mold may be rotated either by power or as illustrated by thefrictional drag of the felt ID. The rollers II are so located that thefelt is forced into contact with the stock on the cylinder wire over aconsiderable area, so as to drive the cylinder and aid in the transferof the pulp The inflow of water and pulp to the vat space beneath thecylinder may be controlled in part by suitably shaping the walls of thecasing and particularly the hopper. For example, the side walls may bestraight or they may be curved to provide a streamline flow, asillustrated in Fig. 1. Whatever their shape and arrangement, it isdesirable that they provide a space beneath the cylinder which is oflarge volume as compared with the bottom space of the cylinder mold vatsas heretofore made. 01', if a more constricted space is desired, thewalls'should be arranged to introduce the pulp directly to the spacebeneath the cylinder and not near its upper portion. We prefer toincorporate both of these features in our construction and to have thelarge volume for minimizing turbulence and to introto the under face ofthe endless traveling felt I0.

One feature of this invention comprises a vat construction so arrangedthat the cylinder is immersed in a comparatively quiet and large body ofpulp stock, and the pulp flow to the cylinder is not turbulent and doesnot havestreams or cross currents rimning through the body of the pulpwhich would interfere materially with the lay of the pulp on the wirescreen. That is, the pulp is introduced into the bottom of the vat l3through a pipe 30, and the vat bottom may be constructed with a hoppershaped bottom having steeply sloping side walls 32 and 33 whichterminate near the sides of the cylinder mold.- The other two walls 34and 35 slope to points near the bottoms of the cylinder ends. Hence,-the stock will'be distributed to all of the submerged portions of thecylinder. and it will lie therebeneath as a large and comparativelyquiet body.

In the preferredform of construction, the vat has vertical side walls 40(Fig. l) and vertical end walls 4| (Fig. 2).. The latter are slottedvertically for removal of the cylinder shaft l5, and each slot is closedby a plate 42. Suitable glands 43 surround the shaft l5 and desiredconstructional features are used to prevent leakage of white watertherepast. Deckle straps or sealing members 44 are mounted in thecustomary manner to minimize leakage of at :k around the ends of thecylinder.

At one end, and preferably both ends, of the 'v'at, the parts are soconstructed as to provide an outlet 46 (Fig. 2) for the whitewaterpass-- duce the, pulp where it may flow up both sides of thecylinder. The walls may be so arranged as to provide any desired volumefor the stock, and the angles of the sloping walls will preferably besuch as to prevent the pulp from coagulating and otherwise to aid in auniform distribution of the stock throughout the vat. It will be seenthat the rate of flow of the stock coming through the pipe 30 graduallydecreases as it goes into the expanded opening formed by the hopperwalls. It will also be noted that the side walls 32 and 33 diverge fromthe inlet 30 to positions fairly close to the cylinder so that the pulpis carried directly into proximity with the cylinder screen.

ing through the screen. An outflow passage is provided by the plate H,the end wall 4| of the vat, and the vertical wall 41, bottom 48 and sidewalls 49 and 50, top plate 5| (Fig. 1), and a further vertical wall '52arranged to form a closed channel. An outlet pipe 53 communicates withthe space between the walls 50, 5| and 48. This construction permits thewhite water to flow from the inside of the cylinder through the opening46 into the enlarged chamber-formed by the vertical walls 4|, 41, 43, 52and associated parts (Fig. 1) and finally into the outlet pipe 53. Inorder to regulate the height of thewater level within the cylinder, aslide valve or gate 55 is suitably mounted in advance of the opening tothe pipe 53. This gate is suspended by a rod 51 having a threaded upperend cooperating with a nut 58 and operatively supported from the vatends for vertical movement of the gate. The same construction may beprovided at each end of the cylinder; so that the water may be caused toflow towards both ends or either end as may be desired.

To aid in making the flow of pulp more uniform and to break up anydirect flowing current into small eddys and so cause the material tospread throughout the vat, we provide a baffle 58 located in the hopperabove the inlet pipe 30. The baflie may be either a solid board or aperforated one. It is preferably perforated to provide openings 69through which the stock may flow, and the ends of the baffle arepreferably spaced from the walls of the hopper so that the. pulp mayflow therearound. The baille is also preferably mounted for pivotalmovement, so

. that the current of stock may be directed toward one side or theotherof the cylinder so as to provide a desired flow thereof. To this end,the baffie is mounted on two aligned shafts 10 at its op- ,posite endswhich pass through bearings in the hopper walls suitably provided forthe purpose. These shafts are preferably axially parallel with the.cylinder axis. A lever 12 fixed to the outer end of one of these shaftsI0 is pivotally connected to a rod "threaded at its other end andprovided with nuts cooperating with a flange I4 mounted on the wall 5|,whereby suitable adjustment of the baflle may be made. It may be held ina horizontal position as shown at the right hand part of Fig. 1'or'tilted one way or the other as indicated at the left hand portion ofthe same figure. Various other types of baflie construction may besubstituted for the one illustrated, or other features may be combinedthere- V with to aid in distributing the :pulp to the. cylinder in asuniform a condition as possible.

In operation, the .cylindermay rotate within a comparatively largevolume of quiescent stock, and the pulp fibres will be laid on therotating cylinder while the. water passes through the 'the level ofwhite water within the cylinder and this, of course, affects the rate ofdeposit of the the cylinder. vertical and spaced near the ends of thecylin- 1311111) on the cylinder as well as the lay of the fl re. I

As a further feature, we may also cause the stock to flow past one orboth sides of the cylinderand thus affect the formation of the webmaterially. This is accomplished by providing for an overflow of thestock at the top of the vat and its return. To these ends, a weir isprovided at one side of the cylinder, and preferably at both sides, asillustrated in Fig. -l. Each weir comprises a flexible plate 80 of metalor other resilient material suitably secured at its bottom to the upperend of the wall 32 or 33 and thereby forming a continuation of the wall.The upper end of this plate 80 carries two sets of spaced rods 82 and 83(Fig. 3) which are mounted on achannel iron attached to the wall plate80. These are arranged to support therebetween a set-of wooden blocks orboards 84. These blocks 84 extend the entire length of the vat, but theymay be short pieces separately removable for local regulation of thestock overflow. That is, they are removably mounted between the rods insuch a manner as to form a weir or dam of adjustable height, so that bytaking out one or more of these boards, as illustrated in Fig. 1, it ispossible to provide for an overflow of water and pulp at either or bothsides of the cylinder as the latter rotates. The weir boards contactwith the end walls of the vat and prevent the escape of stock exceptover the top of the weir.

The flexible plate 80 may be bent towards or from the cylinder by meansof the adjusting rods 86 which are pivotally connected to ears on theplate and passing outwardly through the walls 40 of the vat, where theirthreaded ends carry adjusting nuts 81 suitably cooperating with a plate88 for adjusting the positions of the weirs. Thus, either weir may bebent either towards or from the cylinder to provide for a greater orlesser flow of stock over the dam or otherwise to aid in distributingthe stock to the cylinder. Suitable outlet pipes 90 communicate with thespace between the backs of the weirs and the sides 40 of the vat; andthe overflow-stock may be conducted to any desired point, but it ispreferably returned with further stock for recirculation through themachine.

As a further feature, we may regulate the flow of stock to the cylindermold by i means .ofa valve mechanism which may control the rate of flowof the stock and may be arranged to divert stock towards one end or theother of the cylinder. A suitable valve mechanism for this purpose, asshown in Figs. 4 and 5, comprises the use of an elongated slot at thebottom of the vat instead of the small pipe 30 of Figs. 1 and 2 V andthe control of flow of pulp throughout the entire length of this slot.

The cylinder mold and the vat construction may be the same as abovedescribed except with reference to the hopper at the bottom of the vatand the inlet for the pulp. Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the side walls92 may be shaped as shown in Fig. 1, was desired, to cause the weprovide a valve which is adjustable to close the entrance slot or toprovide a restricted opening for the flow of stock therethrough. Thisvalve may comprise a cylindrical pipe'9'l or other suitable shapearranged horizontally, as illustrated, and the walls 82 and 93are'shaped to interfit with that valve and provide a tight joint whenthe valve is closed. The box 95 may have removable closure plates at theends" to permit assembly of the valve. The valve plug 9,! may be raisedor lowered by suitablemechanism so as-to regulate the'flow of stock;This may comprise rods 98 secured to the opposite ends-of the valve plug91 by means of a ball and socket joint, each of which is formed of aball 99 on the rod removably secured within the slotted end of a lugllll secured to the valve plug 91. and has a nut [00 at its upper endcooperating with a stationary part on the vat for raising and loweringthe rod. Hence, the valve plug 91 may be heldhorizontal and adjusted tocause a uniform flow 'of stock past the valve throughout its entirelength, or either end of the valve may be raised more than the other soas to divert part of the stock flow towards the opposite end. In thisway, the paper maker may control the flow of stock as desired. The valveplug 91 maybe made of'suitable material and shape for the purpose.

It will be appreciated, in view of the above disclosure, that the inletfor the stock may be variously arranged to bring the stock into positionbeneath the cylinder. It, for example, is feasible to remodel thestandard prior art apparatus by lowering the curved bottom thereof andproviding a large space beneath the cylinder within which the flowingstock may be quiescent. The stock may be flowed into that bottom spacein either an upward direction or laterally or downwardly, provided thestock then passes upwardly and contacts for the first time with thecylinder in that upward flow. Modifications are shown in Figs. 6 and'lwherein the cylinder H0 is rotatably' mounted on its shaft lit with--in the vat; and the parts may be suitably made in accordance with priorart practice and as above described. The vat is, however, so constructedas to provide either a lateral entrance for the stock or a downward fiowto the bottom thereof. The vattmay beshaped to providethe walls H4 andH5 which are curved or straight but preferably diverge upwardly, asillustrated,

the cylinder. These walls may terminate in the adjustable weirconstruction comprising the resilient plates 8 carrying the removableboards H1 as above described. The weirs may be moved towards and fromthe cylinder by means of the adjusting rods H8 having nuts H9 on theirouter ends engaging a fixed part of the vat casing. An outlet trough isformed of the walls I20 and ill with their associated walls whichcommunicates with an outlet pipe I22, through which the excess of stockpasses if it is desired to have it flow over either one or both pulp toflow to positions between the weirs and The two end walls 93 may be der.The bottoms of the two walls 82 are spaced apart to provide an elongatedslot which of the weirs. The apparatus is symmetrical on both sides withrespect to these outlets, so that the stock may be caused to flow ineither direction or at both sides of the rotating cylinder.

Each end wall has an opening connecting with outlet pipes 4 arranged forcarrying off the white water that accumulates within the .cylinder, andsuitable constructional details maybe employed, such as valves and thelike, to provide The rod 98 passes around the shaft l5 'for a properdifferential in level between that I white water and the stock in thevat.

The primary feature 'of this particular com I thebottom portion I34 ofthe tank. Thus, al-.- though the stock fiows downwardly through thespreading passage formed by the walls I32 and associated parts, it isnevertheless admitted into the bottom of the vat before it meets thecylinder and it passes upwardly into contact with that cylinder inaccordance with the method above described. The space formed between thewalls Ill, II5 and I34 and the. bottom of the cylinder is preferablylarge enough to insure a quiescent flow of stock.

If desired, a suitable baIile construction may be employed for thepurpose of distributing the stock flow more uniformly into that space.This may comprise a set of bailles or vanes I40 hav- ,tends to align thefibres.

ing straight or curved or streamlined sides.

Each is mounted on shafts I42 which pass through one of the side wallsof the vat in which they are pivotally mounted, so that the baflle maybe adjusted by a suitable mechanism to swing it about the shaftaxis intovarious positions as deemed desirable for directing the flow of stockupwardly. This prevents the stock from passing in a current along theround bottom I34 of the vat and upwardly along the wall I.

As a further modification, the inlet may be arranged as shown in dottedoutlines in Fig. 6, wherein the inlet pipe I50 communicates laterallywith the space at the bottom of the vat. It

will, therefore, be appreciated that the claims are to be interpreted ascovering these and other constructions in which the stock may beintroduced in various directions into the bottom of f the vat but isthen caused to flow upwardly for its first contact with the cylindermold.

It will now be understood that the manner of use of these constructionsand the method of making paper may be varied considerably. The stockenters through the bottom pipe 30 of Fig. 1 at a desired velocity; butowing to the widening of the hopper bottom of the vat and the presenceof the baflle 68 the rate of flow diminishes to such an extent that thepulp is fed throughout the entire hopper beneath the cylinder withoutchanneling of the stock or the formation of currents therethrough sothat the suspension of pulp in the water is substantially quiet side ofthe cylinder moves in a counterflow direction while that on the otherside runs in the same direction with the cylinder and the fibres arelaid on the wire in a manner determined simply by the rotation of thecylinder.

' If some of the top weir boards 84 are removed from the-left hand side,as illustrated in Fig. 1, then the pulp is caused to flow at acontrolled rate toward the left and against the direction of movement ofthe cylinder. The baflle plate 68 velocity of movement of the pulp or toobtain'a -desired distribution. If the weir boards 84 are also removedfrom the right hand weir, the pulp will flow out of the vat at'bothsides; or if desired the parts may be so arranged that'the pulp flowsonly at the right hand side and in the direction of movement of thecylinder. appreciated that the fibres will be laid on the cylinderscreen somewhat differently for each of these weir adjustments asdetermined in part by the direction of rotation of the cylinder and thedirection and rate of flow of the pulp". If the stock flows in the samedirection and at the same rate as the cylinder rotates, the fibres tendto deposit at random or in various directions; while a difference ofvelocity or direction of movement between the cylinder and the pulpHence, by a proper control of the relative rates and directions ofmovement of the pulp and the cylinder, the fibre deposit may beregulated to a considerable extent. The parts may be so regulated thatthe major portion of the stock deposits on the cylinder from asubstantially quiet stock which does not flow rapidly or with anyturbulence. It will also be observed that the difierence in headbetween'the stock in the vat and the water in the cylinder maybe variedin accordance with the positions of the gates 56. The construction ofFigs. 4 and 5 lends itself to a careful control of the fiow of stock andinsures that it will reach both ends of the cylinder. at substantiallythe same consistency as that found at the middle of the cylinder. Thevalve may, however, be so regulated as to cause the stock to flow morerapidly towards one or the other end of the cylinder.

It will be appreciated, in view of the above disclosure, that we haveovercome a serious problem inherent in prior constructions, wherein thestock has flowed as a stream from one side of the mold to the other andits consistency or concentration has gradually increased in thedirection of its flow, so that the stock has often settled out orfiocculated and caused an uneven formation of the paper web; Ourconstruction is such that the consistency of the stock remainssubstantially uniform throughout the effective surface of the submergedmold, and the flow of water through the web and cylinder does not causea material diflerencein concentration on the opposite sides of thecylinder. The consistency of the stock ad-- jacent the upper parts ofthe vat may also be regulated by adjustment of the weir plates and theoverflow boards so that it may be made substantially uniform throughoutor it may be varied as desired. We thereby avoid any thickening of thestock at the point of its initial application to the cylinder andmaintain a desired low consistency throughout substantially the entireef-' fective area of the mold.

It will now be understood that many changes maybe made in theconstruction to make it operate as desired and that equivalent or otherconstructions well known in the art may be added to may be tilted eitherway to regulate further the 7 4 1. A paper making apparatus comprising avat,

It will be a cylinder rotatably supported near the top of the vat whichhas an open mesh surface for the tially vertically below the cylinderand medially thereof and flaring to positions closely adjacent to theperiphery of the cylinder, so as to provide a slowly moving, quiescentmass of pulp and direct it upwardly towards the bottom of the cylinderand distribute it uniformly on both sides thereof.

2. A paper making apparatus comprising a vat having end and side walls,a cylinder rotatably supported near the top of the vat which has an openmesh surface for the formation of a paper web thereon, a laterallymovable weir at the top of a side wall, means for adjusting the Weirtowards and from the cylinder to vary the width of the passagetherebetween, means providing an outlet for the water which passes tothe interior of the cylinder, andwalls defining 'an elongated formationof a paper web thereon, means providing an outlet for white waterpassing into the cylinder, means providing for an overflow of excessstock at the top of the vat, said vat havin inlet walls defining anarrow, horizontally elongated, inlet passage beneath and parallel withthe axis of the cylinder and being shaped as a hopper having its sidesat the inlet substantially vertically below the cylinder and mediallythereof and flaring to positions closely adjacent to the periphery ofthe cylinder, so as to provide a slowly moving quiescent mass of pulpand direct it upwardly towards the bottom of the cylinder and distributeit uniformly on both sides thereof, an adjustable, elongated valve plugfitting said inlet passage and means for moving the plug to.control theflow of stock to the cylinder.

4. A paper making apparatus comprising a vat for holding paper stock, acylinder which has an open mesh surface for the formation of a paper webthereon, means supporting the cylinder in into'the interior of thecylinder, walls defining a inlet located beneath and parallel with thecylinder axis which is substantially as long as the cylinder, the inletand the vat bottom being constructed to cause the stock to movevertically in a substantially non-turbulent condition and uniformdistribution towards the bottom and both sides of the cylinderthroughout its length.

3. A paper making apparatus comprising a vat,

a cylinder rotatably supported near the top of the vat which has an openmesh surface for the narrow horizontally elongated inlet passage whichis substantially as long as the cylinder for introducing stock to thevat as a stream of sub- A stantially uniform 'width so that the stockmay be distributed uniformly to the entire length of the cylinder, anadjustable elongated valveplug fitting the opening to said inletpassage, and means for independently moving each end of the valve plugso as to vary the distribution of stock throughout the length of thecylinder.

JQHN WARREN VEDDER. CHARLES S. ADAMS. DONALD V. LOWE.

